Biodiversity is...the variety of life.
Biodiversity describes the differences that exist among and within
different types of animals, plants, reptiles, insects, fish, and any other
living organism.
Although Anguilla may be small, dry, and windswept, its biodiversity is
astounding.
Anguilla’s habitats and ecosystems range from the nearshore seagrass
beds and coral reefs, to limited mangrove forests that hug the shoreline,
to dry evergreen woodlands, to wind-ridden low-lying scrublands. Anguilla
doesn’t have any lakes or rivers, but it does have 25 brackish (freshsalt)
water ponds.
Despite its small size, limited rainfall, and low elevation, the microhabitats
that can be found on the island provide homes to over 300 species of
native plants, 135 species of birds, 21 species of reptiles, and 5 species
of bats. 40 species of insects have been found on Sombrero Island
alone.
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Biodiversity is...worth protecting.
Biodiversity is the framework of the Earth’s ecosystems and habitats.
It gives us what we (and every other living organism) need to survive -
air, water, food, shelter, and medicine. Biodiversity provides protection
against floods, storms, and ground seas, all the while acting as a regulator
of the Earth’s climate. It provides sand for our beaches, fish for our
plates, soil for our vegetables, shade for our protection, water for our
bodies, and beauty for our souls.
In terms of economics, Anguilla’s economic development cannot be
separated from environmental and biodiversity conservation.
It is due to our relatively unspoilt environment that we are able to
provide an up-market tourism product to the thousands of visitors that
come to our island each year. It is also from this that many Anguillians
continue to get meaningful employment and are able to take advantage
of many other economic opportunities.
We must ensure that critical areas and resources of our island -
especially our native plants and animals - continue to exist among the
built environment. We shouldn’t wait until it has been lost to appreciate
its value and importance.
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Biodiversity is...everything!